Myanmar (Burma)
(Union of Myanmar)
Updated 20 October 2006
Capital: Rangoon (Yangon)
Government type: Military Junta
Independent: 4 January 1948 (from UK)
Chief of State: Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) Sr. Gen. Than Shwe (since 23 April 1992)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Gen Soe Win (since 19 October 2004)
Cabinet: overseen by the SPDC
State Religion: None
Statistics
Population: 51,008,700 (UN 2006 est./ 55 million, SEAPC) Burman 68%, Shan 9%, Karen 7%, Rakhine 4%, Chinese 3%, Indian 2%, Mon 2%, other 5% (Chin, Kachin, Karenni, Naga, Rohingya, etc)
Religions (estimated): Buddhist 89% (82.9%, SEAPC), Christian 4% (8.7%, SEAPC), Muslim 4%, animist 1%, others 2%
Unemployment: 5% (2005 est.)
Population below poverty line: 25% (2000 est.)
Myanmar is one of the poorest nations in the world, suffering from decades of stagnation, mismanagement, and isolation. It however remains the world's second largest producer of illicit opium.
Political Development & Human Rights
Politics of Myanmar (Burma) takes place in a framework of an authoritarian dictatorial republic which is controlled by the military in the form of the State Peace and Development (SPDC). A parliamentary government was elected in 1990, but was not convened.
The SPDC regime is accused of having an appalling human rights record. There is no independent judiciary, and political opposition is not tolerated. Internet access is highly restricted, limiting the materials citizens can access on-line, including free email services, free web hosting and most political opposition and pro-democracy pages.
Despite a direct appeal by the United Nations and pressure from ASEAN, the government extended Aung San Suu Kyi's house arrest another year on 27 May 2006. With China and Russia supporting the junta, any dramatic change in the country's political situation is said to be unlikely.
· Members of ethnic minorities, including the Karen, Mon, Shan and Rohingya, continue to be subjected to forced labour and other violations at the hands of the military.
· The government tightly controls the movement of Muslim Rohingyas, who are not granted full citizenship rights.
· Extrajudicial killings, including custodial deaths; arbitrary arrest without appeal
· Politically motivated arrests and detentions
· Infringement on citizens' right to privacy
· Forcible relocation and confiscation of land and property
· Restriction of freedom of speech, press, assembly, association and movement
· Violence and societal discrimination against women
· Human-trafficking, particularly of women and girls for the purpose of prostitution and as involuntary wives
· Forced recruitment of child soldiers; forced labor (including against children), chiefly in support of military garrisons and operations in ethnic minority regions
Religious Freedom
Constitutional support for religious freedom has not existed since 1988. The government generally permits adherents of registered religions to worship as they choose; however, it imposes restrictions on certain religious activities and frequently abuses the right to freedom of religion.
There is no official state religion; however, the government shows preference for Theravada Buddhism, the majority religion. Promotions within the military and the civil service are generally contingent on the candidates being followers of Buddhism. The government discriminates against non‑Buddhists at the upper levels of the public sector.
· The government continues its efforts to control the Buddhist clergy. It prohibits all religious clergy from being members of any political party
· Religious activities and organizations are subject to restrictions on freedom of expression and association. Most religious organizations are registered with the government.
· The government actively discourages Muslims from entering military service. Christian or Muslim military officers who aspire to promotion beyond the rank of major are encouraged to convert to Buddhism.
· The building of religious structures by minority religious groups is restricted. Their educational and proselytizing activities are limited.
· There have been no permanent foreign religious missions operating in the country since the mid‑1960s. Christian groups have brought in foreign clergy and religious workers for visits as tourists, but they have been careful to ensure that the Government does not perceive their activities as proselytizing.
· While the government appears to have moved away from a campaign of forced conversion, there continues to be evidence of enticing non-Buddhists to convert to Buddhism. Reportedly, local government officials have placed the children of Chin Christians in Buddhist monasteries and converted them to Buddhism without their parents' knowledge or consent.
· Religious publications remain subject to control and censorship. Neither Bibles nor Qurans may be imported. However, with the government's permission, Bibles in indigenous languages could be printed locally.
· Authorities refuse to approve requests for gatherings to celebrate traditional Christian and Islamic holidays. For instance, in April 2006, Mandalay authorities refused permission for area churches to hold a joint Easter program.
Preferential treatment for Buddhists and widespread prejudice against ethnic Indians, particularly ethnic Rohingya Muslims, are key sources of social tensions between the Buddhist majority and Christian and Muslim minorities.
In February 2006, police at Hpa-an, Karen State, arrested Yeh Zaw, a member of Insein Kanphawt Evangelical Church. Yeh Zaw had earlier written a letter to the regime leader urging him to end the persecution of his church which Rangoon authorities closed in early 2006, banning members from worshipping there. Police charged him with traveling without an identity card.
The Church
In June, Protestant churches of all denominations, for the first time in Myanmar Church history, gathered together and prayed for the country. There were about 203 local churches involved. An inter-denominational prayer committee, which included the Roman Catholics, was formed in July.
However, as a result of socio-political marginalization, Christianity is more widely established and continues to grow fastest among the hill tribes in Upper Myanmar.
The Lord opens the eyes of the blind; the Lord raises up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous; the Lord protects the strangers; He supports the fatherless and the widow, but He thwarts the way of the wicked (Psalms 146:8-9).
Continue to pray:
- For a righteous government that fears God, exercises justice, loves mercy and has regards for the ethnic minorities and religious freedom.
- Change of hearts among the military regime that they will turn away from evil.
- Protection for children who are soldiers, orphans, refugees, trafficked to neighbouring countries and put into prostitution, or forced into labour by the military regime.
- Protection for the ethnic women from rape and forced labour and murder.
- The spiritual and physical needs of the Internally Displaced People (IDPs) be met: funding and supplies, including basic necessities such food, clothing, medicine, and security.
- Economic growth and reduced -inflation
- Against religious and racial discrimination
- The Church:
- Perseverance, courage and strength for Christians who suffer that they may be empowered to show love and bring hope to others who suffer oppression.
- Protections for pastors and church leaders
- Awareness and passion for Christ to reach out
- Revival in youth outreaches
- Bibles, hymnals, and Christian literature will reach the people as God prepared their hearts for the gospel.
Reference:
- CIA Factbook, Oct 5, 2006.
- Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 2005, released March 2006
- International Religious Freedom Report September 2006
- Amnesty International 2006
- Human Rights Watch World Report 2006
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myanmar
- Robbie B. H. Goh, Christianity in Southeast Asia. Singapore: ISEAS Pub., 2005.
- The 4th Southeast Asia Prayer Consultation (SEAPC), 10-14 October 2006. Batam, Indonesia.
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